NOVEL WEB Chapter 7: The Trial Begins
Chapter 7 The Trial Begins
The dawn sky over Valenfort City burned crimson, casting an ethereal glow on the Celestial Origin Academy's outer gates. Lihas Rayzada stood among a throng of hopefuls, his silver eyes narrowed with determination, the Soul Rune Pendant pulsing warmly against his chest. The sixteen-year-old's tattered clothes marked him as an outsider, but the iron dagger at his belt and the Starforge System in his mind made him feel anything but ordinary. Today was the entrance exam—a crucible that would either forge his path to greatness or send him back to Elderoot Village in disgrace.The Starforge System's screen flickered in his vision, its voice cold and commanding:Host StatusName: Lihas RayzadaCultivation: Tier 1, Level 2 (Beginner)Skills: Mana Sense (Enhanced), Iron Rune StrikeProgress to Level 3: 100/150 EXPQuest: [Special Quest – Seize the Path: Pass the Celestial Origin Academy entrance exam. Time remaining: Today]Reward: 50 EXP, Skill [Rune Spark]Lihas gripped the recommendation scroll tucked in his sack, its weight a reminder of Captain Voren's challenge. Beside him stood Sylvara Elthorne, her silver hair catching the dawn's light, her Moonshadow Wolf pup, Lunex, pacing at her feet. Her emerald eyes sparkled with encouragement. "Ready, village boy?" she asked, a playful grin on her lips."Born ready," Lihas replied, though his stomach churned. The academy's gates loomed like a judgment, their rune-etched marble humming with mana his Enhanced Mana Sense could barely comprehend. The crowd of candidates—nobles in fine robes, warriors with gleaming weapons—made him feel small, but the pendant's pulse steadied him.A horn blared, silencing the chatter. A robed instructor, a stern woman with gray-streaked hair, stepped onto a platform. "Candidates!" she boomed, her voice amplified by mana. "I am Master Elyra, overseer of the entrance exam. The Celestial Origin Academy seeks only the worthy. Today's trial tests your strength, wit, and mana control. Survive, and you join our ranks. Fail, and you leave—assuming you live."Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Lihas exchanged a glance with Sylvara, her wolf pup growling softly. The gates swung open, revealing a vast arena carved into the earth, its floor shimmering with runes that formed a labyrinth of glowing paths. Floating platforms hovered above, connected by mana-charged bridges. At the arena's center stood a massive Mana Golem, its stone body pulsing with blue light, its eyes glowing like twin stars."The trial is simple," Master Elyra continued. "Reach the golem and claim a Mana Core from its core. You may work alone or in teams, but only those who secure a core pass. Beware—the arena is alive, and the golem is merciless."Lihas's Enhanced Mana Sense flared, mapping the arena's mana flows—chaotic, shifting, like a storm trapped in stone. Sylvara nudged him. "Team up? Lunex and I could use a scrappy village boy."Lihas grinned. "Only if you keep up, noble girl."Before they could move, a cold voice cut through the air. "A peasant and a beast tamer? Pathetic." A tall boy with slick blonde hair and cold blue eyes stepped forward, his silver robes adorned with the Thalor Clan crest. His mana radiated power, sharp and electric. "I'm Vorian Thalor, heir to the Thalor Clan. Stay out of my way, or I'll crush you."Lihas's eyes narrowed, the pendant pulsing. "Big words for someone who hasn't fought yet," he said, voice low. Sylvara's wolf growled, but Vorian smirked and turned away, leading a group of nobles into the arena."Let's go," Sylvara said, her tone sharp. "We don't need trouble before the trial."They entered the arena, the runes beneath their feet pulsing with mana. The labyrinth shifted, walls rising and falling, forcing candidates to dodge or be trapped. Lihas's Enhanced Mana Sense guided him, sensing the mana's flow to predict the walls' movements. He and Sylvara moved as a unit, Lunex darting ahead to scout paths. Other candidates weren't so lucky—screams echoed as some were crushed by shifting stone or fell from collapsing bridges.Halfway to the golem, a platform shuddered beneath them. Lihas grabbed Sylvara's arm, pulling her onto a stable bridge as Lunex leaped to safety. "This place is alive," he muttered, scanning the arena. His Mana Sense caught a flicker of void-like mana—the same signature from the Whisperpine Forest. A cloaked figure watched from a distant platform, their presence chilling."Focus, Lihas," Sylvara said, her wolf snarling. "The golem's close."They reached the arena's center, where the Mana Golem towered, its stone fists slamming candidates into the ground. Vorian and his team were already there, his Thundercoil Blade crackling with lightning as he carved at the golem's leg. The golem roared, its mana core glowing in its chest, untouchable behind a barrier of light.Lihas channeled mana into his dagger, the pendant glowing. "We need to break that barrier," he said, dodging a swipe from the golem. Sylvara nodded, commanding Lunex to distract the beast. The wolf darted around, nipping at the golem's heels, while Sylvara unleashed a Beast Tamer's Lash, a mana whip that cracked against the barrier.Lihas focused his Iron Rune Strike, the dagger blazing silver. He leaped, striking the barrier with all his strength. A crack formed, but the golem's fist swung, forcing him to roll away. Vorian laughed from nearby. "You're out of your depth, peasant!""Bite me," Lihas growled, dodging another blow. His Enhanced Mana Sense caught a shift in the golem's mana—a weak point where the barrier flickered. "Sylvara, hit there!" he shouted, pointing.Sylvara's whip struck the spot, and Lihas followed with another Iron Rune Strike. The barrier shattered, exposing the core. The golem roared, its fists raining down, but Lihas and Sylvara moved in sync, Lunex drawing its attention. Lihas climbed the golem's arm, dagger flashing, and plunged it into the core. The golem froze, its light fading, and Lihas yanked out a glowing Mana Core, its energy pulsing in his hand.The arena stilled, the runes dimming. Master Elyra's voice echoed: "Lihas Rayzada, Sylvara Elthorne—pass!"The system chimed:[Special Quest Progress: Entrance exam passed. Reward: 50 EXP, Skill [Rune Spark]. Progress to Level 3: 150/150 EXP. Level Up!]Energy surged through Lihas, his wounds healing slightly, his senses sharpening. The screen updated:Host StatusName: Lihas RayzadaCultivation: Tier 1, Level 3 (Beginner)Skills: Mana Sense (Enhanced), Iron Rune Strike, Rune SparkProgress to Level 4: 0/200 EXPRune Spark: A skill that infused mana into small bursts of light, disorienting enemies. Lihas felt its power settle in his soul, ready to be tested.Vorian glared, clutching his own core, his team battered but victorious. "This isn't over, peasant," he spat, storming off.Sylvara clapped Lihas's shoulder, Lunex yipping happily. "Not bad, village boy. Welcome to the academy."Lihas grinned, but his Enhanced Mana Sense flared again. The cloaked figure lingered on the platform, their void-like mana unmistakable. The pendant burned, urging caution. The exam was won, but greater trials—and enemies—awaited within the academy's walls.Upcoming Chapter Following Grandmaster Wolf: